Everyone wants an award winning smile, but very few people have one naturally. With all the new technology and techniques coming out, it’s easier than ever to get the smile of your dreams. One great option to achieve that is dental veneers.

It’s a well known fact that porcelain veneers are one of the most effective and popular solutions to cover up a single or several tooth imperfections. Dental veneers are a really great option for people who want to improve the appearance of their teeth. But who qualifies as a good candidate for dental veneers?

What Are Dental Veneers?

Veneers are essentially a thin, durable mask that can be applied to your natural teeth. Once applied to your teeth, the veneers instantly change the appearance of your teeth. Veneers are made of a very thin shell of porcelain, which is carefully selected so it matches the look and color of your teeth.

Depending on how they are made and what your needs are, veneers can whiten your teeth, close large gaps between your teeth, change the shape of your teeth, cover up crooked teeth, or fix large cracks or chips. Each veneer will be customized by your dentist from the length and width of the veneer to the overall shape, thickness, and color.

Who is a Good Candidate for Veneers?

Veneers are a great cosmetic dental treatment that helps people become confident with their smiles again. The following are signs you might be a good candidate for veneers:

• You want to fix several cosmetic problems with your teeth at once
• You want to fix discolored teeth
• You want to correct stains on your teeth from old fillings
• Ability to avoid chewing on your nails, crunching hard candy or food, or gnawing on pens – these bad habits can damage veneers.
• Sufficient tooth enamel must be present – your natural teeth need to have enough enamel left after the small layer has been removed to create a strong bonding surface for the veneer

Veneers are a great option for many people to correct their smile. Give us a call today at (262) 242-6401 to see if veneers are the right choice for you.

Dental implants are a safe and effective way to replace a single missing tooth, multiple teeth, or secure dentures and other large prostheses. Dental implants consist of an artificial root and a manufactured tooth that can be placed on it.

Why a Dental Implant?

There are several benefits that can make dental implants the best option for replacing missing teeth:
Dental implants stabilize bone levels and can prevent bone loss
Dental implants provide greater long-term support and functionality
Dental implants stabilize dentures
Dental implants provide an artificial root system, which keeps the remaining teeth in line
Dental implants do NOT require alteration of adjacent teeth.

Are There Different Types of Dental Implants?

Yes. The most common type of dental implant are endosteal implants. Endosteal implants consist of a metal rod installed into the jawbone and a supporting post that secures either a dental crown or a dental bridge.

Another common type of dental implant are All-on-4 implants. These revolutionary systems consist of an entire top or bottom denture that is supported by just four implants. The implants are placed so that replacement teeth remain steady and secure. The advantage of the All-on-4 implants is that they help patients recover faster and reduce the chances of complications.

What Does the Procedure Entail?

First, our dentist will examine the area in your mouth where you’re considering a dental implant. Then, an oral surgeon will need to decide if there are any current teeth that need to be removed and which type of bone graft needs to be done. These procedures will take place first, followed by enough recovery time to heal to ensure an adequate and strong bone is present at the implant site. Then, the dental implant is placed into the bone and a healing cap is placed over the implant. You will need to follow up with regular check-ups after to insure proper healing and that there is no infection.

Are Dental Implants Right for me?

If you have loose or missing teeth, or were born without a tooth, dental implants may be right for you. If you’re considering dental implants, give Successful Smiles in Thiensville, WI a call at 262-242-6401 or schedule an appointment online.

To many people a morning coffee or afternoon glass of wine is a ritual that cannot be disturbed or broken, but as there are many joys that come with those drinks there are still many enamel straining prices. There are 3 different types of staining that can happen to your teeth and different causes. Learn more below. If you are unhappy with the color of your smile, Successful Smiles in Thiensville, WI can help!

Types of Stains:

Tooth discoloration can be caused by surface stains, material changes in your teeth, or a mix of the two. Tooth discoloration can be divided into three types, according to dentists:

• • Extrinsic Teeth Stains: These stains are a type of discoloration that affects the outer layer of your teeth. Extrinsic stains are not as permanent as the other types, these stains will not respond to simply brushing your teeth. If there are cracks on the teeth they can become deep-set and begin to be harder to remove.
  • Intrinsic Teeth Stains: This type of stain will be found on the inner layer of your teeth, or the dentin. Though dentin is beneath the tooth enamel, the darkened dentin can cause the whole tooth to appear discolored.
  • Age-Related Teeth Stains: Age-related teeth stains are a combination of both extrinsic and intrinsic discoloration. The core tissue of your teeth, the dentin, will naturally yellow over time causing your teeth to become discolored. Another factor that may cause your teeth to show discoloration is that the enamel of your teeth will become thinner allowing the dentin to show through.

Causes of Enamel Stains

There can be many causes when it comes to teeth stains. Certain drinks and foods can cause there to be stains on your teeth, but there can be a biological factor as well. Many times there can be ways to prevent these stains from appearing on your teeth and many that you can not control. This list can help you determine what the cause was behind the stains on your teeth.

• Food & Drink: Coffee, dark sodas, red wine and some fruits and vegetables can be so acidic that they cause staining.
• Tobacco: Cigarettes and chewing tobacco can contribute to discoloration
• Oral Care: Tooth discoloration can be caused by poor dental hygiene, such as insufficient brushing or flossing.
• Trauma or Disease: Discolored teeth can result from any trauma, illness, or disease that impairs enamel formation in children, whether in the womb or while teeth are developing (under the age of 8). Adult teeth can sometimes become stained as a result of trauma. Discolored teeth can be caused by a number of disorders and therapies, chemotherapy and radiation, for example, cause tooth discoloration.
• Medical Treatments: There are times when some medical treatments can contribute to your teeth staining as well as some medications.

Ways to Help Clear Stains

There are a few remedies that can help lessen the impact of these causes. With help of some products, the coloration of your stains can become less apparent, but will not fully remove those stains.

• Keeping a consistent healthy oral routine – brushing twice a day and daily flossing
• Twice-yearly visit to your dentist
• Limitation of teeth-staining beverages
• At home remedies – brushing with baking soda products
• Professional teeth whitening

If you are interested in getting your teeth back to pearly white, contact Successful Smiles today for a professional teeth whitening session!